Companies gun for Lorain; Two gun manufacturers consider move to county, bringing up to 1,000 jobs

LORAIN COUNTY -- Lorain County Commissioner Tom Williams said that the county has a good chance of being a home for two gun manufacturers from out of state.

Williams said that one of a them, which he declined to identify, is a smaller company, but would bring 200 to 300 jobs. The other company would bring in 800 to 1,000 jobs to the county. The larger company has a payroll of about $85 million.

The larger company, which he also declined to identify, would have to have a much larger facility than the smaller one and Williams said the old Ford Motor Co. plant in Lorain might be the perfect fit for it.

The smaller company, Williams said, would likely be a good fit at the National Gypsum plant in Lorain. He said they also are looking at locations in Avon and other parts of the state, but he said he would like to keep them within Lorain County.

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"Some people think it's a controversial issue because of the guns, but guns will be manufactured regardless," he said. "Police need them, the military needs them and private residents need them."

No timetable has been set.

Williams added that the state would not pull out "ridiculous laws" that would cause the companies to leave. Williams had made initial contact with the companies about six months ago when states were implementing strict gun laws.

With multiple shootings happening over the past couple years, William said that the public has been reacting to it because guns have been the primary problem.

"Legislators overreact and they don't see what the root cause is of these shootings," he said. "You have states going through and trying to pass these laws that are limiting the rights of citizens who can bear arms."

A third company may also have an interest in coming to Lorain County, which Williams said specialized in green technology. That company would bring in about 12 jobs, he said. He also said they are working on getting its headquarters moved here in the county.

Williams has been working with Team Lorain County by giving them information and letting them know what is going on.

"What we have to remember is that all of these unfortunate incidents are because of people getting guns illegally," Williams said.